Peace rally planned in Pasadena

PASADENA - In response to recent increased gang violence in Pasadena, community and religious leaders plan to host a rally promoting peace Sunday.

The rally is to take place at 3 p.m. in front of All Saints Episcopal Church, 132 N. Euclid Ave., organizers said in a written statement.

Speakers expected to be in attendance include: Pasadena Police Chief Phillip Sanchez, Capt. John Benedict of the Sheriff's Altadena Station, the Rev. Ed Bacon of All Saints and community leader Porfirio Frausto.

The rally is meant to provide a showing of peace, unity and strength, officials said.

Topics discussed will include restoring peace and hope, respect between law enforcement and community members and helping those who want to get out of gangs.

Gang violence is blamed for the Christmas Day slaying of 49-year-old Los Angeles County Sheriff's law enforcement technician and founder of Pasadena's nonprofit Brotherhood Community Youth Sport League Victor McClinton, officials said.

He was fatally struck by a bullet in the 1900 block of Newport Avenue, police said. It was believed that McClinton was an innocent bystander hit by a stray bullet from a shooting that left a 24-year-old man police described as a gang associate wounded.

Later in the day, a woman and an 11-year-old boy died after their car was struck by a fleeing SUV being pursued by an FBI agent and a Pasadena police officer.

Police and prosecutors allege the driver of the vehicle and his girlfriend, who have been charged with murder in connection with the fatal Christmas Day crash, are gang associates who threw a loaded handgun from their SUV before crashing. Family members have denied gang involvement on the part of the suspects.